Canon Rebel XS Help???????????????????????

Read your instruction manual on how to operate the P, Av, Tv, and M mode. Learn how to control aperture, shutter speed, and ISO and learn what they do.

You'll probably want to use either Av or P mode for this. Set your camera on a tripod, use a low ISO below ISO 400. Select a suitable aperture. Shoot.

First, you'll definitely need a tripod for night photography.

Second, you'll need to learn how to use your camera in Manual Mode since night photography requires that you be in control of the camera.

I use and recommend this site for night exposures: http://www.calculator.org/exposure.aspx I used the Scene 'Distant view of city skyline or floodlit buildings' and ISO 200 for these pictures:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/drifter45h/4048051455... 100mm lens @ f11, exposure of 30 seconds.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/drifter45h/4048796836... 200mm lens @ f11, exposure of 30 seconds.

Just scroll down the list of Scenes at the referenced site and you'll find one for Christmas lights.

Your camera has a minimum shutter speed of 30 seconds so you can use the camera's self-timer to release the shutter.

Since you'll have your camera on a tripod be sure to turn the IS (Image Stabilization) on the lens to OFF. Also, turn the AF on the lens OFF. In the situations you'll be shooting in manual focus will be best.

For the best results always shoot at your camera's highest resolution and use ISO 100 or 200 - 100 is preferable.

Unless you want to buy an external flash like the Canon 430EX II Speedlite, you might try using the Gary Fong "Puffer" flash diffuser which is designed for the pop-up flash like the one on your camera.

http://www.garyfongestore.com/puffer-pop-up-flash-...

As you've discovered, the direct light from the pop-up flash is rather harsh and unflattering so using the diffuser will help lessen that effect.

The Canon 430EX II Speedlite is $265.00 at B&H after a $15.00 Instant Savings that ends 01-08-2011. The Gary Fong "Puffer" is $19.95 at B&H. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

So keep reading and studying the Owner's Manual for your camera.

This kind of photography isn't in that book but it's in lots of others. Low light shooting is always tricky without flash. You can probably find more information here.

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special%...